Maximum PC

I tried making a post last night but I'm not sure if its waiting to be approved right now or it just didn't submit.
So I'm reposting. Sorry if its a double post.

Currently I am trying to build a new gaming pc. Would like to make purchases within the week.

My budget is around $700-$900

Info:

OS: Already have Windows 7 Home 64

Monitor: 1920x1080 - ASUS VH236H 23-Inch Full-HD 2ms LCD Monitor

SSD: Already have SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC256B/WW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

No need for the OS, Monitor, SSD, Mouse, Keyboard, or Speakers

Prefer not to overclock.

Not sure what SLI or Crossfire is.

Everything else I am unsure of because this is my first time building a pc.

This is what I've come up with so far:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.82 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($144.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($50.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 570 1.25GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Nine Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($38.91 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $788.67
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Some questions/concerns I have:

I'm not sure if I should be getting the Gigabyte mobo or ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Also not sure which video card is best to get. Was thinking maybe 660ti or 570.

For the case I'd like an easy cable management but not sure which one I should get. Cases seem rather pricey, but I'd like to stick to under $80 if possible.

I'm not sure if the PSU is enough or if I should get something stronger.

Please let me know if you need any other information if I didn't include enough.

Thanks for the help in advance!

SLI is when you run two or more nvidia video cards together via an SLI-bridge that connects both video cards together as opposed to just running one card by itself. Crossfire is pretty much the same thing as SLI but your running two ATI/AMD video cards together with a crossfire bridge. A side note to the dual GPU setups :SLI is better than Crossfire because it has fewer driver issues than Crossfire setups.

The i5 you selected is a solid pick along with the Coolermaster Hyper 212. I recommend you get a nvidia 660ti video card because it will out perform the 570 and is only 50 bucks more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... hics-Cards

The 900 is a solid case, but if you spend 20 dollars more you could get a NZXT 410 which has great cable routing options too. I recommend getting a case that you absolutely like because its the thing you'll look at everyday and its a part that you can use for a very long time. Both cases will do what you want to them to do which is provide good cable routing and reliability. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... uter-Cases\

Go with the ASRock board since it has 2 more SATA 6GB/s ports than the Gigabyte board and its 15 dollars cheaper than the Gigabyte board.

You won't need to get a bigger PSU if you plan on overclocking (which your not) or if you want to run SLI or Crossfire in the future.

As much as the 900 was a great case back then, if it's still the original, and I don't know what Antec did over the years, my experience with the 900 has be sort of meh in the end. No fan filters meant I had to find something that would squeeze in the front grille, and cleaning them was annoying. It required taking out no less than 8 screws. And while it did have fan speed control, I could only do one of them, since the rest of the switches were inside with no way to route them, and I wasn't going to just replace all the fans for something I can attach to the motherboard.

So yeah. Antec 900. There are better cases out there IMO.

what about this one Rosewill BLACKHAWK Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, come with Five Fans, window side panel, top HDD dock
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811147107

and for the gpu : EVGA SuperClocked 02G-P4-2662-KR GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130826

my first build was with the 900. its a solid case, nice looking and the the shelf on top was nice. it is a dust magnet. as indicated in the previous posts i would go with another model, i would even go full tower. just try to find something with the easy connect for your hdds and sdds. the 900 isnt very friendly for that, now that most newr cases have the quick connects.

As for the GPU I would say the 660Ti over the 570. Just read a bunch of reviews and research benchmarks.
This should help you though: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/647?vs=518

i wouldnt worry about getting to 2 vcards, unless your really want to....

I think either mobo will be fine as long as you are good with the number of connections (SATA 6 GB/s and PCI-E ports are probably the only really relevant ones).


Solely based on performance, the GTX 660 Ti > GTX 570.
Closer in terms of price would be the GTX 660, and that is still faster than a GTX 570.
Best GPU you can afford imho.


Imho, cable management is overrated because there is no easy cable management system arg!


It's enough.

Awesome original post/question! Thanks for making it easy

agreed on the 660ti. I just got this one and love it:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814127696

the dual fans are nice and very quiet. Other reviews are very positive too..